Filming of acclaimed Australian drama RFDS has moved to South Australia for its highly anticipated new season, with pre-production now underway in the state.
Returning to the dramatic world of Australia’s Flying Doctor Service, season three of the popular outback drama series will film across locations in Adelaide and the Flinders Ranges, while the previous filming location at Broken Hill airport undergoes planned upgrades.
Based on the heroic real-life stories of doctors, nurses, pilots and support staff of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, season three picks up one year later, as the RFDS family is forced to grapple with the fallout of choices as they deal with the domino effects of a tragedy. This year the team will face their toughest obstacles yet, forcing them to make big decisions about what they want their lives to be and who they want to share them with.
Earlier this month, RFDS won the award for Best Drama at the 2024 Logie Awards, the Australian television industry’s annual celebration of screen excellence. Production on season three is being supported through the South Australian Film Corporation’s Screen Production Fund.
RFDS is produced by Endemol Shine Australia, a Banijay Entertainment company, for Australia’s Seven Network, executive produced by Endemol Shine Australia Head of Scripted Sara Richardson, Julie McGauran for Seven and co-creator and writer Ian Meadows, with SA’s Lisa Scott of Highview Productions (The Tourist, ANZAC Girls) on board to produce season three.
The lead cast are all set to return including Emma Hamilton (Ten Pound Poms, Fearless), Stephen Peacocke (The Newsreader, Wanted), Justine Clarke (Home and Away, Gallipoli), Ash Ricardo (Offspring, Bite Club), Emma Harvie (Colin from Accounts, In Limbo), Rodney Afif (Lucky Miles), Jack Scott (Ladies in Black), Sofia Nolan (The Artful Dodger, Home and Away), Thomas Weatherall (Heartbreak High, Troppo) and Rob Collins (Limbo, The Drovers Wife).
“This series strives to showcase the beauty of regional Australia and the incredible work that the RFDS does to reach and support our most remote communities. We are pleased to have found a new home in South Australia for Season 3, utilising the Port Augusta RFDS Base and beautiful regional surrounds including Quorn, as well as locations across Adelaide.”
Co-Creator, Writer and Executive Producer Ian Meadows
Executive Producer and Endemol Shine Australia’s Head of Scripted Sara Richardson, said: “The entire cast and crew are privileged to work with the actual RFDS in showcasing their true heroics in some of the most beautiful and rugged terrain in the world, including South Australia’s stunning Flinders Ranges.”
South Australian Film Corporation CEO Kate Croser said: “We are delighted to welcome this beloved drama series to South Australia, marking Endemol Shine’s first production in the state. Securing RFDS is a real coup for South Australia – produced by SA’s Lisa Scott with a majority SA crew, not only will it create hundreds of local jobs and significant opportunities for crew upskilling and career advancement, but it will also be the latest major screen production to showcase our state’s remarkable regional landscapes to a huge national audience.”